Coaster



1 k G H H. W F H Aug. 26, 1969 ATTORNEY rm J Km T E V/% WF 5 3 A m M J. 1 A n I I m V U 1 6 4 4, 5 Q A 0 l 2 5 2 I u 3 w 4 a 2 G I F n Y B United States Patent 3,463,436 COASTER William A. Foster, Jr., General Design Co., 2713 Goodwood Road, Baltimore, Md. 1214 Filed Nov. 21, 1967, Ser. No. 684,766 Int. Cl. A47k 1/09 US. Cl. 248-311 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A coaster for conventional liquid containers, such as tumblers, cans of beer, cans and bottles of soft drinks, etc. is provided in the form of a tubular wall of foamed plastic material. One end of the wall is closed while the other end is open. Apertures are provided in the tubular wall for the reception of flexible linear members, such as beaded chains, having fastening means for attaching the device to a post. The interior of the wall is provided with channels between the apertures for the recessing of portions of the linear members therebetween to provide an unobstructed surface for liquid containers placed therein within the limits of its diameter. Alternatively, the wall may be upwardly tapered to provide a free space Within the diameter limits of its upper end.

This invention relates to coasters and it is more particularly concerned with means for insulating and holding a container of hot or cold liquids.

The general object of the invention is the provision of a novel coaster for the use of containers of hot or cold liquids. I

A specific object is the provision of a coaster which can be removably attached to a vertical post, such as a part of a chair, and capable of supporting itself as well as a container of hot or cold liquid thereby obviating the need of a table or other horizontal surface.

Another object is the provision of a coaster of relatively simple and sturdy construction which is convenient in use and inexpensive to manufacture.

These objects and still further objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following description considered together with the accompanying drawing.

The invention generally comprises a coaster formed of a tubular wall of heat insulating material, the bottom of which is closed and the top of which is open. The wall on one side has a pair of horizontally spaced openings through which a flexible linear member is threaded. Both ends of the flexible member are on the outside to encircle a post and secure the coaster to it by fastening means. The tubular wall preferably is thick and has a grooved portion between the apertures for recessing the inside portion of the flexible linear member. The outer surface of the wall also contains a vertical channel to fit the post.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention partly in section, attached to a conventional chair shown fragmentarily.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view along the line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of a modified embodiment of the invention, partly broken away.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of the beaded strip and locking device.

Referring with more particularity to the drawing in which like numerals designate like parts, the embodiment illustrated comprises a cup-shaped member 11 having a tubular wall 12, a bottom wall 13 and an open top 14.

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The member 11 is made of a suitable thermal insulating material. A preferred material is any conventional foamed plastic, such as foamed polystyrene or foamed polyurethane resin.

The wall 12 is provided with a pair of horizontally spaced apertures 15 and 16 on one side for the reception of a flexible linear member, such as a conventional beaded plastic cord 17. A second pair of horizontally spaced apertures 18 and 19 for another similar flexible linear member 20 is also provided.

The flexible linear members permit securing the device to a post such as the column 21 of an ordinary chair 22. At least one of these flexible members overlies a horizontal tubular frame member 10 which acts as an abutment to hold the unit in position.

The member 11 may be made of a suitable interior size to permit placement therein of liquid containers such as a tumbler or a can 23 of soft drinks, beer, etc. of sizes within the limits of the tubular opening up to sizes which provide a snug fit.

To provide for the maximum size of coaster with a snug fit, channels 24 and 25 may be provided between the apertures 15 and 16, and 18 and 19, respectively, to recessibly contain the adjacent portions of the flexible linear members 17 and 20.

Alternatively, the wall 12 may be provided with an upward taper 26, as shown in FIG. 4, to provide space 27 for the linear members between the liquid container 28 and the interior surface of the wall.

Where soft materials are used for the member 11, such as a foamed plastic, the apertures 15, 16 and 18, 19 may be provided with reinforcing metal or plastic grommets 29 to prevent excessive wear of the material adjacent the apertures.

The flexible linear members 17 and 20 may be of any suitable type including cords, ribbons, etc. A preferred type is a conventional form of plastic beaded strip, one outer end of each of which is provided with. a locking device 30 having an eye 31 through which the opposite end of the strip slides. The eye 31 has a restricted slot 32 to engage the strip between a consecutive pair of beads 33 and 34 and thereby retain a given size loop portion. By these means the device can be quickly attached to and detached from a post as a slide fastener.

The exterior of the wall 12 is provided with a vertical concavity 35 adjacent the apertures 15, 16 and 18, 19 to tightly engage the part or column 21 and prevent tipping of the coaster under the weight of a container therein.

I claim:

1. A coaster comprising a rigid normally vertical tubular wall of insulating material having a closed bottom and an open top, said wall having on one side a pair of horizontally spaced apertures extending from the interior to the exterior, a flexible linear member threaded through said apertures, said member having its two ends on the exterior of the wall for connection to a post in which the interior of the tubular wall adjacent said apertures is recessed.

2. A coaster as defined by claim 1 in which the tubular wall is relatively thick and the interior has a grooved portion extending between the apertures for recessibly containing a portion of the flexible linear member therebetween.

3. A coaster as defined by claim 1 in which the interior of the tubular wall is tapered from the bottom to the top.

4. A coaster as defined by claim 1 having a second pair of horizontally spaced apertures below the first mentioned pair and a second flexible member threaded through said second pair of apertures.

5. A coaster as defined by claim 1 in which the tubular material is heat insulating.

6. A coaster as defined by claim 1 in which the tubular material is foamed polystyrene resin.

7. A coaster as defined by claim 1 in which the tubular material is polyurethane resin.

8. A coaster as defined by claim 1 and slide fastener elements connected to the outer ends of the flexible linear member.

9. A coaster comprising a rigid normally vertical tubular wall of insulating material having a closed bottom and an open top, said wall having on one side a pair of horizontally spaced-apertures extending from the interior to the exterior, a flexible linear member threaded through said apertures, said member having its two ends on the exterior of the Wall for connection to a post in which the exterior surface of the tubular member is provided with a vertical channel adjacent the apertures to partially receive a post in abutting engagement,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ROY D. FRAZIER, Primary Examiner I. FRANKLIN FOSS, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 15 211-71; 248-231 

